| Blood alcohol levels
When you drink alcohol, it passes directly from your stomach to the bloodstream. Your blood alcohol level, or BAL (B-A-L), is measured in milligrams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood, or in milligrams percent.
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| Drug-related offenses
Driving under the influence of drugs is as dangerous and unlawful as driving under the influence of alcohol. In studies, the government found that a disturbingly large number of surveyed drivers admitted that they'd operated a vehicle within two hours of using drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, tranquilizers, stimulants, or sedatives.
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| Drug-related vehicle forfeitures
If a vehicle is used in a drug-related crime, either directly or indirectly, it can be confiscated by the police. This policy applies to motor vehicles, boats, planes, or any other vehicle used in connection with a drug crime.
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| DUI/DWI/OWI
DUI (D-U-I), or 'driving under the influence' is the crime of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, including prescription drugs.
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| Effects on auto insurance
If your auto insurance company discovers you've been convicted on a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, you may be reclassified as a high-risk driver, and your premiums can be raised accordingly.
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| Loss of driver's license
Penalties for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs often include the suspension or revocation of your driver's license. In some states, your license can be suspended for a period of three, six, or 12 months for refusing to submit to a chemical test, even if you're found innocent of the DUI (D-U-I) charge.
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| Obtaining a business permit
If you've been convicted of a DUI (D-U-I) offense and your license has been taken away, you may be eligible for a business license. Whether your license has been revoked or temporarily suspended, you can ask the judge for a so-called 'green order,' which is a document authorizing the Driver's License Bureau to issue you a hardship license or business-use-only permit, if you qualify.
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| Taking breath tests
The police have three main methods of determining if you're driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs: observation of your driving behavior; chemical tests; and sobriety tests, such as walking a straight line or reciting a list of letters or numbers.
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